Speed regulator



NOV. 15, 1932. 0, SIMMONS 1,888,185

SPEED REGULATOR Filed Dec. 24, 1931 Patented Nov. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ORVAIL G. SIMMONS, OF GUERNSEY, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T JOSEPH C. PICKENS, OF ELM GROVE, WEST VIRGINIA SPEED REGULATOR Application filed December 24, 1931.

This invention relates to a speed regulator particularly for a stationary internal combustion engine and more specifically to the type primarily used in the oil field where they operate at times for hours without attention.

The prime object of the present invention is to provide a novel means which will cut off the spark in the event of undue racing or running off of the engine, which frequently 19 happens under present conditions, especially when the engines are equipped with gas governors.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of 15 the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawing Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing my improvement in connection with parts of a stationary internal combustion engine,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the speed regulator detached, and

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through said speed regulator detached, taken at a right angle to Figure 2.

Referring specifically to the drawing, designates the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine of the stationary type about 33 which is disposed an eccentric 11 so as to be driven thereby, in order to reciprocate an eccentric or pitman rod 12 which in turn actuates an igniter 13 to which it is pivotally N connected on a horizontal axis as at 14. The

high tension wire leading from the igniter 13 to the spark plug of the engine (not shown) is provided in two parts or sections as at 15 and 16.

To carry out my invention an attaching 49 base is provided in the form of a block at 17 which is rigidly attached to the rod 12 as by means of a U-bolt 18 and coacting nuts 19. Obviously the base 17 may be connected in F any other manner to the said rod 12.

A case or casing 20 is hinged to the base 17 by means of cars 21 on the casing, and a cross rod or pintle 22 connected to the base. In addition, the nut or element 23 provided with r a screw threaded opening 24 therethrough, is

" pivotally connected by a rod 25 and nut 26 to Serial No. 583,127.

the base. A look screw 27 may be threaded through the nut 23 for engagement with the screw threads of an adjusting rod 28 disposed in the opening 24. Rod 28 extends through a bearing bar 29 secured to the top of the case 20 and has a manipulating knob 30 above the same and resting thereon. An expansive spring 31 surrounds the rod 28, abutting the bearing 29 and the nut 23, thus tending to urge pivotal movement of the casing 20 upwardly and rearwardly or away from the base. By the adjustment or turning of the screw member 28 at knob 30, the angular position of the casing 20 may be varied.

The casing 20 at one side has a movable wall 32 of insulation whichcarries a metallic binding post or rod 33, to which the sections 15 and 16 of the spark plug wire are detachably fastened between clamping nuts 34 and 35 threaded on said rod 33.

The rod 33 extends a material distance into the casing and coacting therewith is a large metallic ball 36 capable of traveling in a straight line toward and away from the post 33, guided by a channel element 37.

Normally, the casing 20 is disposed at an angle so that the ball 36 will be in and seek a position away from the contact 33. Should the engine unduly race or speed up, the unduly rapid reciprocation of the rod 12 will cause the ball 36 to move uphill below the contact 33, whereby, on the theory that electricity will follow the shortest course, high tensioned current instead of traveling to the spark plug,

will travel through the contact 33, ball 36,

and metallic parts 37, 20, 21, 17, 18 and 12 and accordingly be grounded, whereby no spark will pass to the spark plug and the obj ectionable condition will be righted. Through the manipulation of the knob 30, the angularity of the casing 20 may be varied, to thereby vary the condition under which the ball 36 will be moved uphill through the action of undue reciprocation of the rod 12. It will be noted that sufiicient clearance is provided between the ball 36 and rod 33 to avoid sticking of the ball.

Various changes may be resorted to pro-v vided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a reciprocating element of an internal combustion engine, a casing having a contact thereon and insulated therefrom, a spark plug Wire connected to the contact, an element movable relatively to the contact to ground currentpassing through the spark plug Wire, and means to vary the position of the casing to control the operation of the movable element;

2. In combination with a reciprocating element of an internal combustion engine, a casing having a contact thereon and insu= lated therefrom, a spark plug Wire connected to the contact, an element movable relatively to the contact to ground current passing through the spark plug Wire, said c-a'si-ng having an inclined wall on which the element travels, whereby it will normally disengage the contact.

3. In combination with a reciprocating element of an internal combustion engine,-a casing having a contact thereon and insulated therefrom, a spark plug Wire connected to the contact,- an element movable relatively to the contact to ground current passing through the spark plug Wire, said casing having an inclined wall on which the element travels, whereby it will normally disengage the contact, and means operable to vary the position of the casing to thereby vary the inclination of said Wall.

4. In combination with a reciprocating element of an internal combustion engine, a casing having a contact thereon and insulated therefrom, a spark plug Wire connected to the contact, an element movable relatively to the contact to ground current passing through the spark plug wire, said casing having an inclined wall on which the element travels, whereby it will normally disengage the Contact, and means operable to vary the position of the casing to thereby vary the inclination of said wall, comprising a screw rod, a base supporting said casing and to which the latter is hinged, and means on the base in engagement with said screw rod, and

the casing-.-

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

7 ORVAIL G. SIMMONS.

spring means engaging the latter means and I 

